The event which takes place from September 24 to 26 is expected to have up to 190,000 visitors and the club expect up to 5,000 of these will avail of the test.

The International Diabetes Federation estimates that there are 191,380 people with diabetes in Ireland and that by 2030 there will be 278,850 people with the condition. An estimated 50,000 diabetic people in Ireland are expected to be unaware of their condition.

Last year 4,757 visitors to the National Ploughing Championships in New Ross availed of the Lions Club service at the event. Eight per cent of those tested were referred to their GP for further examination.

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Some 120 Lions and qualified nurses will offer the simple and painless blood test to visitors this year, with the service running from 8am to 6pm.

The service at the 2013 National Ploughing Championships is organised by nine Lions Clubs in the Midlands Region – Portarlington, Athy, Monasterevin, Abbeyleix, Newbridge/Kildare, Portlaoise, Kilcullen, Tullamore and Carlow.